Former Pakistani asylum seeker Fawad Ahmed moved a step closer to playing in next month's Ashes series against England after being rushed into the Australia A cricket squad for their tour of Britain yesterday.

Ricky Ponting and Mike Hussey yesterday ruled out comebacks to the Australian test ranks for the Ashes tour of England after the team's troubled series in India. With Australia 3-0 down in India and the first of back-to-back Ashes series rapidly approaching, coach Mickey Arthur has indicated he would be open to Hussey returning to the national set-up.

Vice-captain Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Usman Khawaja and Mitchell Johnson were all suspended for one test in what Australian media called "one of the most sensational days in Australian cricket history".

The 33-year-old leg-spinner took seven wickets on his Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria two weeks ago and will have another chance to shine against New South Wales at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from today.